Amiibo Scalpers: Like the Plague

Hello everyone,

  Sorry for the little hiatus. I'm sure many of you can understand how hectic the Holiday Season can be. I'm back now... back with a grudge.

  You see, while I was away, the little nerd within me got into something new. Something to collect. Something in extremely... extremely high demand.

  Odds are, those of you who owned a Nintendo 64 gaming console have heard of Super Smash Bros., right? I'm sure some of you don't, so allow me to explain. Super Smash Bros. was a fighting game developed in 1999 by Nintendo for their Nintendo 64 gaming console. Over the course of 15 years, 4 sequel titles would release: Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Smash Bros. for 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.

  The two latter titles, were just released last year. Both of them are similar in design and layout, but the version for Wii U is the more complete version (the handheld one for the Nintendo 3DS handheld console is mobile and a lot smaller in comparison). Despite the unbelievably original name (sarcasm), the game is fantastic.

  One of it's many features is the integration of Nintendo's "toys-to-life" figurine line called "Amiibo."

  A "toys-to-life" figurine is a toy character figurine that uses a Near Field Communication system built into its base. Scanning the NFC system, or tag, digitally activates the character in the video game the figurine is tied (advertised) to.

Confused? This video should help!

  Now Nintendo isn't the only one in this industry. Activision has a line of toys-to-life figures called Skylanders. They have been unbelievably popular these past few years.

  Realizing this, Disney created Disney Infinity which uses the same technology, but rather than featuring gimmicky monsters, the game features popular Disney and Marvel characters (and eventually Star Wars!).

Smash Bros. Amiibo Wave 1

  Nintendo, however is the first developer to have their toys-to-life figures be available for multiple types of games. For example, I have an Amiibo for Mario. I can tap that Amiibo onto my Wii U GamePad while playing Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, or Mario Kart 8. Both of them do something unique to enhance gameplay, but I'm not here to promote the lovely features these little guys offer.

  You see, like many types of figurines, the Amiibo are highly collectable. This makes them popular, and highly desirable. I'm one of those people who are hooked. So what's the big deal?
  "You like toys, and you want to collect them. Way to be a man!"
  ...Sure, I see how it is. But you see, I'm not as obsessed as I could be.

  In this day and age, the internet literally gives us instant information regarding availability. Due to the high demand of Amiibo, this has opened the gate for scalpers, or resellers as they are often referred to. These people exploit the demand of Amiibo to buy as many of the figurines as possible, and sell them for over quadruple the price of retail ($12.99), because parents and collectors don't care how much money they spend. "If little Timmy wants it!" as they say...

Smash Bros. Amiibo Wave 2

  The amount of money these scalping hoarders make allows them to buy out entire stores just to make a quick buck, thus making children (the target age group) and collectors suffer for being only two minutes late for a store's opening! Yes. That's right. People make lines for these suckers. Nearly every time it's a disappointment, because some gentleman, who has no better thing to do with their time, was standing in line in front of you.
  Sure there are pre-orders for these things, but guess who pre-ordered several hundred of these figures before you did? That's right. A scalper.
  It's getting so out of hand, that some stores liquidate their stock as employees call dibs on the product before the product is even shelved! And what do they do with that? Sell it of course!

Smash Bros. Amiibo Wave 3

  Yes, folks, this is what the world has come too. Exploit rich parents  make money. Sounds fun right? You couldn't be more wrong. Scalpers are hated with such a passion by fans. All out brawls and complaints to management to enforce limits are made daily. I'm not one of those people, but I sure as heck despise that people think that this is an okay thing to do!!!

*Sigh*

Smash Bros. Amiibo Wave 4

  Sorry for the mini-rant, but this is a real issue that I'm dealing with here. Well technically I'm not the only one. There are so many fans of Amiibo out there. Sure I'm only after the Amiibo that are based off of the Super Smash Bros.video game, but there are so many characters that I have lost from right under my nose, some of which have been reported as "discontinued." Never to be restocked again... Well phooey!!

  So if you ever consider, or are currently in the reselling business, beware! If it has a fan base, people will hate you. Consider what you are doing first. Don't be selfish. Chances are, you'll make a collector, or maybe even a little kid very, very happy.

Super Mario Amiibo Wave 1

  Of course, I'm the person who tries to look for the best deals, so somehow I'm always out of luck...
so if any of you have either a Marth, Villager, Wii Fit Trainer or Pit Amiibo you are willing to sell for MSRP, I'm your guy.

I kid, I kid...


But seriously, I'll pay MSRP.  ;) :) (other positive looking emoticons)


Thanks all,

-Peter